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Rukiya Shanthi

@rukiyashanthi.bsky.social
160 followers 66 following 75 posts

... is writing. #kidlit writer all about forgotten histories. Currently focused on ancient Indian Ocean adventures!

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Reposted by Rukiya Shanthi
Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 26/09/2026
Some good news: "the number of independent book shops in the UK and Ireland is now at its highest level since 2012". www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #KidLitUK #BookSky
bbc.co.uk
Why bookshops are booming in the TikTok age
Proprietors explain why more independent bookshops are springing up in our towns and cities.
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c0nc0rdance @c0nc0rdance.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
One way we can reconstruct ancient trade networks is via the presence of foreign coinage. This map shows locations of recovered coins of /purported/ Roman lineage. In 2013, on the island of Okinawa, 4th-century AD Roman bronze coins were excavated from the ruins of Katsuren Castle.
A crude relief/ecology map of Eurasia and Northern Africa, showing the location of Roman coinage (purported, many of these were amateur finds never confirmed), and the concentrations are in Europe, the Nile and India, with some coins in China, Vietnam and Japan.
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
'The enormous scale of Britain’s centuries-long trafficking of enslaved African people, supported by parliament and the monarchy, has been laid bare by new research.' Expect kickback, and continued confusion among commentators between the slave trade and slavery, & their abolitions. #Skystorians
theguardian.com
Monarchs, MPs and merchants: the register laying bare Britain’s slave-trading past
Exclusive: New research identifies thousands who profited from trafficking enslaved Africans and traces some financial links to institutions still operating today
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Rob Bignell, Editor/Author @inventingreality.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
#publishing #literature #womensfiction #WordCountGoals #authorsky
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Ancient History Magazine @ancienthistmag.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Ancient trade in the Indian Ocean: Jeremy Simmons shares insights on how India and Rome interacted through commerce. Tune in to the latest podcast episode. bit.ly/3SWncDV
Ancient History Podcast - Indian Ocean Trade
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Rukiya Shanthi @rukiyashanthi.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
This weekend is @qpbookfest.bsky.social Come and join us! Buy tickets here 🔗 queensparkbookfestival.co.uk
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rain-singer.bsky.social @rain-singer.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
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worldkidlit.bsky.social @worldkidlit.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
As we approach 10 years of #WorldKidLitMonth this September, we're fundraising to keep the #WorldKidLit ship sailing into the next decade, and for two projects aimed at promoting international reading among young people. Please donate & share widely! Thank you! worldkidlit.org/2026/07/21/w...
worldkidlit.org
World Kid Lit: 10th Anniversary Fundraiser
It’s the 10th year of World Kid Lit: an international reading project with a global impact! As we approach World Kid Lit Month this September – our 10th anniversary – we are fundr…
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Translators Aloud @translatorsaloud.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Just a reminder, even as we celebrate #WITmonth, that September is #WorldKidLitMonth! #Translators, send us your readings from translated children's and YA books, poetry, or plays and we'll be delighted to feature you. Full guidelines available on our website: translatorsaloud.com/submissions/
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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
This week’s #KidsBooksFriday is inspired by the great Dolly Parton. So whether it’s books about kindness, generosity, gratitude, inclusivity, positivity, hope, self-belief, or something else, let’s share books that embody Dolly’s spirit and legacy. #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit #BeMoreDolly
Image of Dolly Parton holding children’s books with her quote “You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children”. Featuring the logo of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a charity that gives out millions of books to kids who need them across the world. Book cover for You Choose by Nick Sherratt and Pippa GoodhartBook cover for Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez and Gabriella EpsteinBook cover for Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan.
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Rukiya Shanthi @rukiyashanthi.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
I finished a Faber academy comedy writing course yesterday! Like being in a tv writers room for a week with smart funny ladies 😊😂
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The Bookseller @thebookseller.com · 07/08/2026
ICYMI: In an initiative launched by Michael Rosen, Great Western Railway has installed mini libraries at 10 stations after research found that one in five parents noticed a decline in their children’s reading ability over the summer holidays.👇
ebx.sh
Michael Rosen launches GWR station mini libraries
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Alex Churchill @alexchurchill.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Yup. Tis I.
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Louie Stowell @louiestowell.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Ok, it's time for Finally Read The Longread Tabs I Have Open Sunday! This one's a LONG one...the edcuation select committee report on reading for pleasure. publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5902/cm...
publications.parliament.uk
Reading for Pleasure
Report of the Education Committee
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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 25/07/2026
It's #SouthAsianHeritageMonth, so we're sharing these fantastic books that celebrate South Asian families and culture – and everyone can enjoy reading them together ✨ bit.ly/4oBkM8n
Picture books with South Asian characters
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We Need Diverse Books @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
WNDB is proud to support Hachette Children's Group’s Raising Readers campaign 📖💛 #ReadingIsGolden This campaign aims to raise awareness that reading for fun is the single biggest predictor of a child’s future success. 🌟 JoinRaisingReaders.com
Light blue graphic titled “Reading is Golden”. Subtitle: “Reading with a child for 10 minutes a day can change their life.” Beneath the text is Hachette Book Group’s logo for “Raising Readers” followed by text that says, “Find more resources on our website: www.JoinRaisingReaders.com”. At the bottom of the graphic is the logo and information for Hachette Book Group.
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Rukiya Shanthi @rukiyashanthi.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
My writing was highly commended at the inaugural @megaphonewriters.bsky.social conference ✍️ So that made me smile 😊
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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 17/07/2026
The Education Committee's reading for pleasure report is out! After contributing to the inquiry alongside #ReadingRights ambassador @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social we welcome the early years focus & the National Reading Guarantee idea to make reading a right for every child. @helenhayes.bsky.social
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Rae Radford @raeradford.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Amen. #BookSky
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School Reading List @schoolreadinglist.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
🛍️🏬📚🔖 Our guide to independent and specialist children's bookshops in the UK and Ireland, including over 150 vibrant and exciting bookstores to visit. 🔖📚🏬🛍️ schoolreadinglist.co.uk/resources/ch... #kidlit #amreading #booktwitter
schoolreadinglist.co.uk
Children's Bookshops
Children's bookshops - browse our list of independent bookshops and specialist children's bookshops in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
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Septimus Brown @septimusbrown.com · 08/07/2026
My current reality 😭
My story idea: epic warrior
My first draft: star wars kid meme
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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 07/07/2026
🥳 We are delighted to announce that the brand new Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate 2026-2028 is the marvellous @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social We're so excited that Patrice is taking on the role and love that she will be focusing on how stories can help to build communities. #NationalYearOfReading2026
Patrice Lawrence Waterstones Children's Laureate 2026-28
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Children's Bookshelf @pwkidsbookshelf.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Patrice Lawrence has been named the new Waterstones children’s laureate | The Guardian buff.ly/yGlFHDA
theguardian.com
Patrice Lawrence chosen as new children’s laureate
Writer of YA novels Orangeboy and Needle takes over from Frank Cottrell-Boyce and plans to highlight how reading can foster connection in fragmented times
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Rukiya Shanthi @rukiyashanthi.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
This so amazing 🤩 Can't wait to see the impact Patrice will make for kids across the country! Congrats @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social 🥳 🎉
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Rukiya Shanthi @rukiyashanthi.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Today's random book research: height of a goat 🐐 Pretty sure I've peaked as a writer for the day 🤣🤦🏾‍♀️
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Michael J. Taylor @drmichaeljtaylor.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Fashy Tech Bros: Back in Roman times, men were men. Just conquering the world with the boys, no time for woke feminist soi boi bullshit. Actual Roman who fought Hannibal: I'd like to share my recipe for poppyseed cheeseballs with you (Cato Agr. 79)
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Rukiya Shanthi @rukiyashanthi.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Just to give a flavour of what I'm working on... ✍️ 📖 🏝️🏃🏾‍♀️🦁🌱🤴🏽 #kidlit #middlegrade Opening audio clip copyright and credit belongs to Sony Pictures (2000) and is taken from the Gus Van Sant movie Finding Forrester starring Sean Connery and Rob Brown.
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Rukiya Shanthi @rukiyashanthi.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Can't wait to listen! It's truly an abomination how absent colonial history is from the curriculum today. And it puts UK children at a major disadvantage for their futures when so many parts of the world teach it 🤨
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Rukiya Shanthi @rukiyashanthi.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Just to give a flavour of what I'm working on... ✍️ 📖 🏝️🏃🏾‍♀️🦁🌱🤴🏽 #kidlit #middlegrade Opening audio clip copyright and credit belongs to Sony Pictures (2000) and is taken from the Gus Van Sant movie Finding Forrester starring Sean Connery and Rob Brown.
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Rukiya Shanthi @rukiyashanthi.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
It was such a great event! Am still referring to our discussion with other authors. Thanks and look forward to more events like it ☺️ @engmediacentre.bsky.social @theclpe.bsky.social @darrenchetty.bsky.social
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Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 1768: Don't bother trying to follow trends. By the time one has been identified, it's usually already over.
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Children's Bookshelf @pwkidsbookshelf.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Why “Book-Shaming” Won’t Solve the Children’s Literacy Crisis | The New Yorker
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Why “Book-Shaming” Won’t Solve the Children’s Literacy Crisis
The nation’s official advocate for children’s books says most of them are “crud.” But matters of literary quality don’t explain why kids aren’t reading.
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The Bookseller @thebookseller.com · 13/06/2026
ICYMI: Children’s enjoyment of reading and daily reading habits have risen for the first time in five years, according to new findings from the @literacy-trust.bsky.social (NLT), but it also found the disadvantage gap was widening. 👇
ebx.sh
National Literacy Trust research shows first rise in children’s reading enjoyment in five years
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Laura Seay @texasinafrica.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
I have worked in the Belgian colonial archives & what's already available to researchers is horrifying, I can only imagine how bad the rest is. We must bring the truth to light. Transparency is the only way to recovery, reparations, & eventual healing.
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The Bookseller @thebookseller.com · 05/06/2026
A new prize for under-represented writers has been launched in honour of the late author and Jacaranda publishing director Sareeta Domingo, who died in 2025. 👇
ebx.sh
The Sareeta Domingo Prize launches for under-represented writers in honour of late author and editor
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Michael Spicer @michaelspicer.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Nigel Farage Listens to the News
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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 03/06/2026
Our new Family Survey shows that while families value and enjoy reading together, daily shared reading has dropped. That's why it's urgent we all come together, across services, to make shared reading a reality for every family. Join the #ReadingRights movement: bit.ly/4e1qign
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Louie Stowell @louiestowell.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
You know you're going to be in for a good intellectual time when you have to look up a word from the preparatory emails for an event. And not because it's jargon, I mean, a real word. (The word was subaltern if you're interested.) The event? THIS one on Tuesday 4.30pm! Come along! shorturl.at/IlzJM
shorturl.at
Community Conversations pt.2 - Children's Literature: Speculative Fiction & Colonialism.
Community Conversations returns to the CLPE for an evening of dialogue focused on colonialism in children's literature.
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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
The full lineup for this event on June 2nd now includes @candygourlay.bsky.social @nazneenahmed.bsky.social @clairelinney.bsky.social JT Williams plus organisers @darrenchetty.bsky.social & @louiestowell.bsky.social It will be a great discussion - come join us! www.eventbrite.com/e/childrens-...
eventbrite.com
Children's Literature: Speculative Fiction and Colonialism
A chance to discuss contemporary speculative fiction for children that engages with colonialism . For creators, educators, & readers.
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LiLBazula 👻 🎃 @lilbazza.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
The nakba never ended
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Today is Nakba Day. You cannot understand what lies at the heart of conflict in the Middle East unless you understand what happened to 85% of Palestinians in 1948. Here Eugene Rogan explains how hundred of thousands ended up as homeless refugees in Gaza
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Prof Sunny Singh @profsunnysingh.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Coming up next week with an incredible roster of shortlisted authors:
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Publishers Weekly @publisherswkly.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Children’s authors and educators are up in arms after words by the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, from his new essay collection for adults, Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children, cast aspersions on the vast majority of work published for young readers.
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Children’s Book Community Responds in Outrage to Comment by National Ambassador Mac Barnett
Children’s authors and educators are up in arms after words by National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Mac Barnett, from his new essay collection for adults, 'Make Believe: On Telling Stories...
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Rukiya Shanthi @rukiyashanthi.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Saw this exquisitely crafted and heartbreakingly eye-opening documentary twice in cinema! Highly recommend it 👏🏽 Would love to get a dvd of it (if such things still exist 😢) or download a copy but can't seem to find it anywhere... Any ideas?
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chuck 🐦💐 @chuckdrawsthings.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
the artistic process
PANEL 1: a pigeon sits, head thrown back as they yell "i need to drawwww"
PANEL 2: the pigeon sits up, drawing in a sketchbook, a box of crayons next to them. frowning, they say "ugh this sucks"
PANEL 3: the pigeon lays on their front, happily propping one wing on their face and kicking their legs. they're drawing a slice of bread and say "oh wait, i love art"
PANEL 4: the pigeon stands up, head thrown back as they kick a ball of paper. their art is either scribbled out or balled up, the box of crayons knocked over. they angrily say "i hate everything i've ever made!!!"
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Emily✨ @emilyoram.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
This is my absolute favourite depiction of Brits by Americans. I love it. It’s true and it’s funny.
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hate 2 say it but british ppl had the right idea with saying whats all this then. like literally whats all this then
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Nadia Ali @nadiaawriter.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Writing is like a sport, it's like athletics. If you don't practice, you don't get any better." ~ Rick Riordan
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The Reading Agency @readingagency.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Happy #WorldBookNight! We hope you'll be joining us for the #ReadingHour from 7-8pm tonight - whether you’re reading, listening, or sharing a book, it all counts. Let us know how you'll be celebrating in the comments 👇️ #NationalYearOfReading2026 #GoAllIn2026
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Nadia Ali @nadiaawriter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
The writer is an explorer. Every step is an advance into a new land. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
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